Modesto (September 7, 2017) – Community Hospice, the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice agency serving the Central Valley, announced the appointment of two new Associate Medical Directors, Dr. Ann Marie Truscello and Dr. Richard O. Camacho.

“Community Hospice is pleased that Dr. Ann Marie Truscello and Dr. Richard O. Camacho have accepted the position of Associate Medical Director,” said C. DeSha McLeod, President/CEO of Community Hospice. “Our Board Members, management and staff are thrilled to welcome Dr. Truscello and Dr. Camacho to our organization. Their experience and leadership will be a great asset in helping us provide the best quality care to our patients and their families.”

Dr. Truscello is a Pediatrician at Modesto Pediatrics and will be supporting Community Hospice’s Pediatric Palliative Care Program. Dr. Truscello received her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from The University of California, San Diego, CA in 1982. She attended Pennsylvania State University, School of Medicine, graduating with her Doctor of Medicine degree in 1986. She completed an OB/GYN Internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix, AZ in 1987 and her Pediatric Residency at the same hospital in 1990. Dr. Truscello is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatrics.

Dr. Richard O. Camacho is an Internal Medicine hospitalist with AllCare Hospitalist Medical Group. Dr. Camacho received his Bachelor’s Degree from Biola University in La Mirada, CA in 1994. He attended De La Salle University College of Medicine, located in Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines, graduating with his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1999. He completed his Internship and his Internal Medicine Residency at Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland in 2004. Dr. Camacho is licensed by the State of California and Board Certified in Internal Medicine.

For additional information about Community Hospice programs and services, visit hospiceheart.org or call 209.578.6300.

About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 2000 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the sixteen-bed Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information please call (209) 578-6300 or visit www.hospiceheart.org.
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Camp Erin® of the Central Valley Helps Children and Teens Cope with Grief
Community Hospice offers free camp for grieving children and teens

August 7, 2017 (Modesto, CA) – Camp Erin of the Central Valley is a free bereavement camp for children and teens ages 6 to 17 that have experienced the death of someone close to them. In 2014, Community Hospice partnered with The Moyer Foundation to launch their inaugural Camp Erin® of the Central Valley. On June 8-11, 2017, 107 campers and over 60 volunteers and staff members from all over the Central Valley made their way to Foothill Horizons Outdoor School for the four-day grief camp. Foothill Horizons served as a new camp site this year due to an overwhelming community response and need for our children and teens in our communities.

“There is a great need for Camp Erin of the Central Valley and we are blessed to have been able to expand our program this year offering camp to more grieving kids in our community,” said Nancy Houghton, Camp Erin of the Central Valley Director. “Applications for camp have doubled since our first Camp Erin of the Central Valley in 2014. We are honored to be able to provide a healing camp experience and feel humbled to have so many dedicated community residents support our program.”

Led by professional grief counselors and trained volunteers, camp offers a fun environment, combined with planned grief activities that allow children a chance to express their feelings, make friendships with peers that have had similar life experiences and honor loved ones that are no longer with them. Camp provides a unique opportunity for youth to increase levels of hope, enhance self-esteem, and especially to learn that they are not alone.

As children grieve very differently than adults, Camp Erin of the Central Valley is designed to specifically address the needs of our youth. Through the generous support of our friends and neighbors in the community, Camp Erin of the Central Valley is offered free to all campers. To learn more about Camp Erin of the Central Valley visit camperincentralvalley.org or call 209.578.6300. For sponsorship opportunities contact the Community Hospice Foundation at 209.578.6370 or give.hospiceheart.org.

About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 2000 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information please call 209.578.6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

About The Moyer Foundation
The Moyer Foundation is a public, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide comfort, hope and healing to children and families affected by grief and addiction. Founded in 2000 by former MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer and child advocate Karen Phelps Moyer, The Moyer Foundation supports thousands of children and families each year through its free signature programs and services. Camp Erin® is the largest national bereavement program for children and teens grieving the death of someone significant in their lives and Camp Mariposa® is a national addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth impacted by a family member’s substance use disorder. The Moyer Foundation Resource Center extends The Foundation’s continuum of care by providing a curated set of online resources with personalized phone and email support for families experiencing grief, addiction and other related issues. For more information, please visit moyerfoundation.org###

The Great Gatsby Gala was Swinging Community Hospice Foundation 16th Annual Gala was a Success

Modesto (May 30, 2017)–On May 20, 2017 over 600 community members gathered at the home of Agnes Timmerman in Oakdale for the 16th Annual Community Hospice Foundation Great Gatsby Gala. Guests enjoyed Live and Silent Auctions, a raffle, appetizers by Chef Michael Midgley, dinner by Greens and dancing to Modesto’s Third Party Band.

Several community members were recognized for their dedicated service and support in advancing the organization’s mission. Mr. Kenny and Pam Phillips alongside Mr. Ron and Pam Ridenour were awarded the John and June Rogers Philanthropic Award. The Phillips and the Ridenours embody the heart of hospice by giving and raising funds to assure that the mission of Community Hospice continues, regardless of the patient’s or family’s ability to pay. The Julio and Aileen Gallo Leadership Award was awarded to Mr. Jon Tremayne for his passionate commitment and enthusiastic leadership in guiding Community Hospice Foundation. The Harold A. Peterson, III Heart of Hospice Award was presented to Friends of Community Hospice member, Mrs. Sally Cofer-Lindberg for her long-standing commitment to the mission of Community Hospice.

More than $70,000 was raised during the Camp Erin of the Central Valley cash for the cause. Past camper Luke joined us and graciously shared his camp experience.

Community Hospice Foundation Executive Director, Monica Ojcius said, “We are thrilled with the outcome of the gala knowing the funds raised will be put to work immediately helping terminally ill patients and their families. It is truly humbling that so many people from our community joined us in support of the Community Hospice mission. We live in such a generous community and the dedication of our supporters is simply amazing. Community Hospice would not be able to provide the service and programs offered without their gifts and we are very grateful.”

The Great Gatsby Gala was a great success raising more than $300,000 to support the patients, families and programs of Community Hospice.

About Community Hospice Foundation
Community Hospice Foundation is a community-based nonprofit, raising awareness and funds to support the patients and families of Community Hospice.

About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 2000 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information, please call (209) 578-6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.
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MODESTO, CA (April 27, 2017) – Community Hospice the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice provider in the Central Valley celebrated and recognized their volunteers at their annual A World of Thanks Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Award Ceremony on April 12, 2017. All volunteers received a certificate of recognition, several volunteers were recognized for outstanding service and dedication to the mission of Community Hospice and four dedicated volunteers were awarded the 2016 Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Volunteer of the Year Award. Named after the co-founder of Community Hospice, the awards are given each year to four volunteers for their outstanding service and spirit of excellence. One volunteer is chosen from the following: Community Hospice, Friends of Community Hospice, Community Hospice Hope Chest Thrift Stores and Camp Erin® of the Central Valley.

The Mary Jean Couer-Barron Community Hospice Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Inez Lewis. Ms. Lewis not only provides compassionate support to patients in their homes, facilities, and at the Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House, she is an outspoken supporter of Community Hospice and has dedicated numerous hours providing education to the community at various community events.

The Mary Jean Couer-Barron Friends of Community Hospice Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Mrs. Claudia Krausnick; current president of the Friends of Community Hospice. Mrs. Krausnick has served in many capacities to support the fundraising efforts of Community Hospice Foundation. She has played a significant role in the success of the silent and live auctions for the Foundation Annual Gala, the Santa Shares Breakfast as well as other events.

Mr. Wayne Burton was awarded the Mary Jean Couer- Barron Hope Chest Thrift Store volunteer of the year. Mr. Burton’s passion is serving in the book department at the Community Hospice Hope Chest Thrift store in Oakdale. He spends many hours keeping the books organized so that customers can easily find particular books or authors. Through his endless efforts and dedication, he has sold more than 8,700 books since January 1, 2017.

The 2016 Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Camp Erin of the Central Valley award was given to Mr. Bob Taylor. Mr. Taylor has served as a cabin buddy for Camp Erin for the Central Valley for the past three years. His dedication to supporting our campers along their grief journey has been a blessing to many in our community.

In 2016, more than 500 volunteers contributed 24,413 hours in support of the Community Hospice mission. “Volunteers are the heart of Community Hospice and we are blessed to have so many community residents give their time and talents to support our mission,” said C. DeSha McLeod, President and CEO of Community Hospice. “We are grateful for all our volunteers that help support our patients and their families, and the programs we provide our communities.”

To learn more about volunteer opportunities or any of Community Hospice’s programs or services, visit hospiceheart.org or call 209.578.6300.

About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 200 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the only inpatient hospice facility serving Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information, please call (209) 578-6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

Community Hospice named one of the Best Places to Work: Central Valley

MODESTO, CA (April 28, 2017) – Community Hospice the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice provider in the Central Valley was recognized in April at the Dust Bowl Brewery and named alongside nine other organizations as one of the Best Places to Work in the Central Valley.

Best Places to Work: Central Valley is a program that surveys companies that are eligible and wish to participate. Companies must be located in Merced, San Joaquin or Stanislaus counties, have been in business for at least a year and have no less than 15 full- or part-time permanent employees.

“Community Hospice is honored to have earned the distinction of being one of the Best Places to Work in the Central Valley,” said C. DeSha McLeod, President/CEO of Community Hospice. “Our employees are the vessel for our mission and we strive to maintain a healthy and nourishing environment for staff to flourish in and enjoy. We would not be able to provide compassionate and quality care to our community without our amazing staff. Our dedication to our patients, families and to one another is what makes Community Hospice one of the Best Places to Work.”

All companies that participated in the 2017 Best Places to Work: Central Valley program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment programs.

Best Places to Work: Central Valley is brought to you by Opportunity Stanislaus, Prime Shine Car Wash, and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 200 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the only inpatient hospice facility serving Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information, please call (209) 578-6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.
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April 10, 2017 (Modesto)—Central Valley organizations with a strong workplace environment were recognized on Wednesday, April 19 at Dustbowl Brewery in Turlock. In front of a crowd of elite local businesses, the companies receiving the award for Best Places to Work: Central Valley were named.

Best Places to Work: Central Valley is in its first year of program participation and expects double digit growth for the 2018 program, which will begin in November. “The organizations selected for this designation are leaders in their field without exception,” said David White, Chief Executive Officer of Opportunity Stanislaus. “Their cultures and emphasis on employee satisfaction are evident in their employee response and evidence shows prospective employees will look favorably on these rankings as they search for their next position.”

All companies that participated in the 2017 Best Places to Work: Central Valley program receive an in-depth evaluation identifying strengths and weaknesses according to their employees. In turn, this report can be used in developing or enhancing employee retention and recruitment
programs.

Best Places to Work: Central Valley is brought to you by Opportunity Stanislaus, Prime Shine Car Wash, and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

PHOTO CAPTION: LOCAL NONPROFIT RECEIVES A $100,000 GRIEF REACH GRANT FROM THE NEW YORK LIFE FOUNDATION

STOCKTON, CA (April 19, 2017) — Community Hospice Foundation today announced it received a $100,000 Grief Reach grant from the New York Life Foundation, which will enable the organization to expand their school based Grief Relief Program in Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. The New York Life Foundation created the Grief Reach grant to help providers overcome barriers to bringing grief support services to youth not served by existing bereavement programs.

Pictured l to r: Employees from New York Life’s Stockton General Office including Administrative Manager Nathaniel Moore, Managing Partner Mychael Nguyen and Agent Lars Willerup present a $100,000 Grief Reach grant check to Monica Ojcius, Executive Director of Community Hospice Foundation (third from left) in support of the organization’s Children’s Grief Relief program. Please visit the organization’s website at www.hospiceheart.org for more information.

Community Hospice Awarded BETA Healthcare Group Participant of the Year

MODESTO, CA (March 28, 2017) – Community Hospice, the community’s oldest and largest nonprofit hospice provider serving the Central Valley, was awarded Participant of the Year by BETA Healthcare Group-Worker’s Compensation on February 23, 2017 at the Annual Participants’ Meeting held in Newport Beach, CA. BETA Healthcare Group formerly known as Alpha Fund, is the largest professional liability insurer of hospitals in California. Additionally, BETA provides workers’ compensation coverage for over 40,000 healthcare workers in the state.

Community Hospice takes pride in the Culture of Safety it has developed over the past years. Recognizing that culture isn’t built overnight, Community Hospice acknowledged that lacking this Culture of Safety would negatively impact its ability to deliver on the company mission of providing compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and their families, regardless of ability to pay. “Our staff is our most important asset in delivering our mission,” mentions Community Hospice’s Director of Human Resources, Jennifer Dunn. “If we were unable to provide a safe atmosphere for our staff to work in, we could not provide the education, support, training and patient care to our patients and families.”

With the leadership of President/CEO, C. DeSha McLeod and her team, Community Hospice has put into place measures to ensure employee and patient safety remain at the forefront of employees’ minds. “We take safety very seriously and upon ourselves and hold each other accountable to see safety risks and make corrections on our own to avoid potential problems” explained C. DeSha McLeod. From day one of employment, Community Hospice demonstrates to staff their commitment to this culture through extensive training, education and supportive programs all focused on health and safety. But the message doesn’t stop there; safety is woven into the fabric of their operations. Whether it be a vibrant and effective safety committee with members from every level of the organization, quarterly safety inspections of each facility, monthly safety presentations at all-employee meetings, or putting all employees through an extensive defensive driver training program, Community Hospice continually reminds employees of the importance of safety and how it fits into their daily tasks.

Community Hospice, Inc. serves as an outstanding example of what Commitment, Accountability, Responsibility and Engagement in a Culture of Safety can achieve. BETA Healthcare Group is proud to present this well-deserved award to Community Hospice, Inc.

About Community Hospice
Community Hospice is the largest and oldest nonprofit hospice agency in the Central Valley. Serving the community since 1979, Community Hospice has cared for thousands of friends and neighbors offering compassionate and quality care, education and support to terminally ill patients and families, regardless of ability to pay. Care extends to over 2000 patients each year in private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and at the 16-bed inpatient Community Hospice Alexander Cohen Hospice House. Community Hospice also provides bereavement and grief support to anyone in the community. For more information, please call (209) 578-6300 or visit hospiceheart.org.

About BETA Healthcare Group
BETA Healthcare Group is the largest professional liability insurer of hospitals in California, providing coverage to more than 200 hospitals and healthcare facilities. In addition, BETA provides workers’ compensation coverage for over 40,000 healthcare workers in the state. BETA also has a long-established and growing commitment to physicians with BETA providing medical professional liability coverage to nearly 6,000 physicians and more than 50 medical groups. Beyond primary liability and workers’ compensation coverage, BETA provides an entire suite of alternative risk and insurance services, including excess liability coverage, excess workers’ compensation coverage, third-party claims administration services, risk management consulting services and claims management consulting services. Whether with hospitals, medical groups, clinics or hospices, BETA has earned a reputation for financial strength, rate stability, quality service and breadth of coverage that is unparalleled in the industry. For more information, please visit www.betahg.com.
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